Information: 541-682-5450 or eugene-or.gov/libraryFree admission to all events

On the calendar:

Winter Teen Time — Applications are now open for volunteers at the downtown library to help prepare items for check-out, set up crafts project for kids’ programs, create displays, clean and organize books and more. Winter Teen Team will meet from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Tuesdays from Jan. 31 through March 2. Apply at the Teen Desk at the downtown library; for information, call 541-682-8316.

Pajama Storytime — Stories, rhymes and songs for children, infants through 6 years and their grownups, at 6:30 p.m. every Tuesday, starting Jan. 3. Sessions are professionally designed to build early literacy skills.

Maker Hub Open Labs — downtown library. Drop in to use a variety of tools to create a project, with a different emphasis each week. Participants must have a Eugene Public Library card. Each session is limited to 10 participants at a time, on a first-come basis. Admission is free, but there may a charge for project materials.* 3D Printing and Fabrication — 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Jan. 3; 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Jan. 5; and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Jan 7. Use 3D design and printing tools to create models and prototypes, make a vector graphic to cut electronically from cardstock or vinyl, or use a carving machine to cut and engrave designs into plastic, wood, and soft metals. Available for use: 3D scanner, 3D printing pens, 3D printer, electronic cutting machine, carving and engraving machine and laptop computers.* Sewing and Textiles — 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Jan. 8 and 10; 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Jan. 12; and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Jan. 14. Use sewing machines, serger, embroidery machine, hand looms, knitting needles, and more. Bring fabric, thread, and other materials needed for your project.* Electronics and Robotics — 1 p.m to 5 p.m. on Jan. 15 and 17; 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Jan. 19; and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Jan. 21. Explore and invent with kits and supplies including LittleBits, Raspberry Pi, Makey Makey, Arduino, Finch, Lego Mindstorms and EggBot.* Media Editing and Graphic Design — 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Jan. 22 and 24; 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Jan. 26; and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Jan. 28. Use state-of-the-art equipment for audio, video and design projects, including Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Premiere, Illustrator, Dreamweaver, After Effects, InDesign), Windows laptops, green screen and more.* Paper and Handcrafts — 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Jan. 29 and 31. Tools and supplies are available for drawing, origami, button-making and jewelry, including beading.

Play with Lego blocks — Drop-in sessions at the downtown library at 4 p.m. on Jan. 4, 11, 18 and 25; register a week in advance for sessions at 10:15 a.m. at the Sheldon branch or 2 p.m. at the Bethel branch on Jan. 7, 14, 21 and 18. Children in kindergarten through grade six are welcome.

Comics Crafts for Teens — A new activity for teenagers at 4 p.m. on Jan. 6 at both the Bethel and Sheldon library branches and the first Friday of each month thereafter. This month, “up cycle” comics into wearable and usable art with Mod Podge. Supplies are provided, or bring your own item for collage.

Iron Mango Ukulele — At 6 p.m. on Jan. 6 at the downtown library, during the downtown Eugene First Friday ArtWalk. Iron Mango Ukulele is a performing group of Mele ‘Ohana of Oregon, which promotes traditional Hawaiian culture and sponsors the Ukes for Kids Project. The performance features traditional Hawaiian songs, dress and hula. The library stays open until 8 p.m. on the first Friday of each month.

Play Date — Young children and families are welcome to drop in at the downtown library for creative fun on the first Friday of each month, when the library is open until 8 p.m. This month it’s on Jan. 6.

Family Music Time — At 10:15 a.m. each Saturday at the downtown library, a different performer each week will sing and dance with kids and their families. On Jan. 7, it’s Bryan Reed makes learning rock. On Jan. 14, Samuel Becerra plays lively music of South America and Mexico. Jan. 21 will be a singalong with Anahid Bertrand, who is fluent in musical fun and six languages. On Jan. 28, Kris Olsen of Do Re Play helps children learn through musical exploration and fun.

Beginning a Book-Length Memoir — Author, memoirist and editor Melissa Hart offers a workshop on getting started on a book-length memoir at the downtown library at 2 p.m. on Jan. 7, looking at examples from published memoirs, identifying key themes or historical eras and learning how to use details as well as narrative to shape the memoir. Hart has written two memoirs and a young adult novel and is a contributing editor at “The Writer” magazine and Creator & Collector Services.

Dog Tale Time — Children ages kindergarten through grade six may read to trained dogs from the PAAWS program from 2 p.m to 3:30 p.m. on Jan. 7 at both the Bethel and Sheldon branch libraries. Advance registration starts a week in advance in person at the libraries or by calling 541-682-8316. Dog Tale Time returns to the downtown library from 2 p.m to 3:30 p.m. on Jan. 14 and continues each Saturday through March 25.

Family Fun — Every Sunday at 1 p.m., there’s a drop-in activity for children and families at the downtown library. On Jan. 8, it’s a journey of imagination into “Scenes of Narnia” with Hosanna Dance Studio. Jan. 15 will be hands-on physics experiments, “Science in Motion,” with The Science Factory, learning about gravity, inertia, center of mass, rotational forces and more. Jan. 22 will be a Chinese New Year Celebration with the Chinese American Benevolent Association, including music, dance and tea. On Jan. 29, the Reign Dance Company will lead creative movement in “Bop, Bumble and Bounce.”

Coloring for Adults — A special session of the weekly “Coloring Party for Adults” will be at 10 a.m. on Jan. 9 at the Sheldon branch, when professional illustrator Marianne Walker teaches how to blend colors smoothly and place highlights and shadows for a dimensional look. All supplies are provided, including Copic Japanese brush markers. Both the Bethel and Sheldon branches hold a “Coloring Party for Adults” from 10 a.m. to noon every Monday, where adults can drop in and color for fun, creativity and relaxation. Materials are provided, or participants may bring their own.

STEAM Storytime — Starting on Jan. 9, story time will be each Monday at 3:30 p.m. at the downtown library, offering preschoolers and kindergarteners adventures in science, technology, engineering, art and math.

Get Ready for the Science Fair — At 3:30 p.m. on Jan. 10 at the downtown library, students can learn how to create a successful science fair project with educators from the University of Oregon’s Science Program to Inspire Creativity and Excellence, or S.P.I.C.E., including scientific method, research questions and ways to present data. The workshop is intended for kids ages 8-14 years Pick up free tickets starting 30 minutes before the event, because space is limited. For more about the UO Science and Invention Fair on April 22, go online to spice science.uoregon.edu.

iPad: Next Steps — Explore iPad features such as downloading and using apps, making folders and managing email and photos at 1:30 p.m. on Jan. 11 at the downtown library. The workshop is intended for people who have attended “iPad for Beginners.”

Job Search Strategies — If you’re looking for a job but aren’t getting interviews and don’t know what to do, jumpstart your search at a workshop at 2 p.m. on Jan. 11 at the downtown library with Kevin White of the Prosperity Program at Goodwill Industries of Lane and South Coast Counties. Topics include responding to employment ads, “cold-calling” potential employers, networking and using entry-level jobs as a steppingstone.

Design and Make Buttons — Create 1-inch or 2-inch buttons featuring your own designs and using Adobe Photoshop or drawing by hand at a class at 5:30 p.m. on Jan. 11 at the downtown library. Intended for adults and teens with basic computer skills. All supplies are provided. Advance registration and a Eugene Public Library card are required. To register, call 541-682-5450.

Social Media: Keeping Up with the Grandkids — Flustered by Facebook? Terrified of Twitter? Panicked by Pinterest or intimidated by Instagram? Pam Simon will help you explore social media as a useful and enjoyable cross-generational tool. She’s a social worker and co-creator of Fidgets2Widgets, an enrichment program for children that’s focused on technology and its place in a balanced life. It will be at 3 p.m. on Jan. 12 at the Bethel branch and 3 p.m. on Jan. 19 at the Sheldon branch.

One-on-One Job Hunt Help — Employment counselors will help job hunters find employment opportunities, complete applications, write online and traditional resumes, practice interview techniques and explore new career directions. To register for a 30-minute session between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. on Jan. 12 or Jan. 26 at the downtown library, call 541-682-5450.

Licensing a Food Business — Would-be entrepreneurs can join Jeff Green at 6 p.m. on Jan. 12 at the downtown library to review current food safety regulations and standards for starting or operating a food cart, coffee shop, restaurant or home-based food business. Green is a food safety specialist with the state Dept. of Agriculture. The session is sponsored by SCORE, counselors to America’s small businesses.

Teen Board Games — Teens ages 13-17 years may drop in to play board games at both the Bethel and Sheldon branches from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Jan. 13. Sessions meet the second Friday of each month.

Doctor Who Club — Teens who are Dr. Who fans can get together at 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Jan. 13 at the downtown library to watch episodes, snack and have “Whovian” conversations. The club meets the second Friday of each month.

Intro to Computers — Learn the basics of the computer system, how to use mouse and keyboard and also find Eugene Public Library resources online. The session is at 10 a.m. on Jan. 14 at the downtown library.

Film Noir with Cheyney Ryan — The University of Oregon professor emeritus will talk about “On Dangerous Ground: Film Noir as Art and Politics” at 2 p.m. on Jan. 14 at the downtown library. Film noir, essentially movies with a dark side such as “The Maltese Falcon,” “Double Indemnity,” “The Big Sleep” and “Touch of Evil,” are some of the hidden gems of Hollywood’s Golden Age. Cheyney Ryan now heads the human rights programs at Oxford Univesity and is senior fellow in politics there. His father, Robert Ryan, was one of film noir’s best-known actors. The event is part of the annual National Endowment for the Arts’ annual “Big Read” which this year features a community celebration of Dashiell Hammett’s “The Maltese Falcon,” with performances, talks, films and more throughout the community.

Design and Make Buttons — Create 1-inch or 2-inch buttons of your own design using Adobe Photoshop or Illustrator or your own hand-drawing. The class for adults and teens is at 6 p.m. on Jan. 17 at the Bethel branch. All supplies are provided

Windfall Reading Series — This month’s session at 6 p.m. on Jan. 17 at the downtown library features novelist and poet Dorothy Black Crow and memoirist Susan Sygall as part of “More Voices,” a project of the Lane Literary Guild that promotes multiculturalism in literary arts. Black Crow has written the mystery, “The Lakota Handless Maiden” and many short stories and poems. Sygall’s memoir is “No Ordinary Days,” about her work as co-founder and director of Mobility International USA.

Family Night — This month’s theme for kids and their grownups is “Picture Book Puzzler,” with games and puzzles to solve a mystery based on Jonathan London’s story, “Froggy Gets Dressed,” at 6:30 p.m. on Jan. 17 at the Sheldon branch and 6:30 p.m. on Jan. 24 at the Bethel branch.

Do-It-Yourself Garden Stakes — Use digital design and a computer numerical control (CNC) mill to make wooden garden stakes. Create your design and watch the machine cut it out. The class for adults and teens with basic computer skills will be at 5:30 p.m. on Jan. 18 at the downtown library. All supplies are provided. Because of limited space, a Eugene Public Library card and advance registration are necessary to participate; call 541-682-5450 to register.

Mini-Makers — Children ages kindergarten through sixth grade can enjoy hands-on electronics, invention kits, weaving, button-making and more at 4 p.m. on Jan. 19 at the downtown library.

Job Hunt Help — Employment counselors will help job hunters find employment opportunities, complete applications, write online and traditional resumes, practice interview techniques and explore new career directions. Drop in at the Bethel branch from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Jan. 20.

Ani-Manga Club for Teens — A new way for teens to get together offers anime-watching and Japanese snacks at 4 p.m. on Jan. 20 at the downtown library. The club meets the third Friday of each month.

Big Read’s “The Maltese Falcon” Book Group — Meet to discuss Dashiell Hammett’s film-noir classic at 3 p.m. on Jan. 21 at the downtown library as part of the National Endowment for the Art’s 2017 Big Read.

Restyle and Repurpose T-Shirts — Learn to “restyle and repurpose” old T-shirts at 1:30 p.m. on Jan. 22 at the downtown library, using sewing and embroidery machines. Change the castoffs into T-shirt yarn, T-shirt tote bags and more. Bring at least one old T-shirt; all other supplies and tools will be provided. The class is for adults and teens.

‘Tween Scene Book Group — January’s book for kids in grades four through six is “Hook’s Revenge” by Heidi Schulz, with discussion and pirate activities. Register in advance and pick up a book. The Sheldon branch session will be at 4 p.m. on Jan. 23. The Bethel branch will meet at 4 p.m. on Jan. 25. The downtown library group meeting will be at 4 p.m. on Jan. 26 and will feature a talk by the author about her books and being a writer as well as a Q&A.

Community Philosophy Café — “What is Happiness?” is the subject for a community philosophy meeting at 6 p.m. on Jan. 24 at the downtown library. “Community philosophy” happens any time people get together to discuss big questions that are both universal and personal. This session will be led by Paul Bodin and Caroline Lundquist, both philosophy instructors at the University of Oregon.

Download Books, Music, and More — Learn how to download and stream the library’s eBooks, audiobooks, magazines, music, movies, and TV shows using online services such as Library2Go, Hoopla, Zinio, OneClick, and Freegal, and take home instructions and troubleshooting tips. These services offer tens of thousands of titles available on the library’s website. The class is at 1:30 p.m. on Jan. 25 at the downtown library.

Teen Book Group — Meet at 4 p.m. on Jan. 26 at the downtown library to discuss “I Crawl Through It,” a surrealistic novel by A.S. King in which four teenagers find unusual ways to escape standardized tests, only to discover that the best way to escape reality is to face it. Register at the Downtown Teen Desk and pick up the book in advance.

WTF (What the Friday) — It’s something new for teens to do the fourth Friday of each month, at 4 p.m. on Jan. 27 at the downtown library. Get together, have fun and choose the next month’s activity.

Alternative Education Fair — Parents, teens and younger kids can drop in from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Jan. 28 at the downtown library to learn about alternative education programs in Eugene and Lane County. Representatives of more than a dozen local private schools, charter schools, home-school organizations, the Eugene School District and the library’s educational resource programs will be on hand with displays and information.

Digitize and Restore Photos — The downtown library’s Media Lab has many tools to help digitize and restore photos. A session at 3:30 p.m. on Jan. 28 will provide sample photos and hands-on instruction with Adobe Photoshop to teach the skills. Advance registration is required and starts Jan. 10; participants must have a Eugene Public Library card.

Minecraft Block Parties — Separate sessions are available for younger children and teens to play and create with Minecraft as well as share tips and strategies. Sessions for kids ages 8-12 years will be held at the downtown library at 4 p.m. on Jan. 30, Jan. 31, Feb. 2 and Feb. 3. Teenagers will meet at 4 p.m. on Feb. 1. Advance registration is required and starts Jan. 10; participants must have a Eugene Public Library card.

REGULAR WEEKLY STORYTIMES

STEAM Storytime — Mondays, at 3:30 p.m., downtown library; for preschoolers and kindergarteners with their caregivers

Pajama Storytime — Tuesdays at 6:30 p.m., downtown library; for infants through 6-year-olds with their caregivers

Preschool Storytime — Wednesdays at 10:15 and 11:00 a.m., downtown library; for 3- to 6-year-olds with their caregivers

Sensory Storytime — Wednesdays at 1:00 p.m., downtown library; stories, songs, and word play designed by early childhood school psychologist Debby Laimon especially for children with sensory integration or other special needs with their caregivers

Randi Bjornstad

Has more than 30 years' journalism experience after a previous stint as a land-use planner. Got first rejection slip at age 11, but the editor wrote an encouraging note. Lives in Eugene, Ore., with husband-and-photographer Paul Carter, adorable dog Tallulah and quirky cats Pearl, Audrey, Garbo, Harry and Ozma.